My Boat Works

Here are stories of anchoring well and poorly, with discussion of what worked and failed. I hope they’re both entertaining and instructive.

What’s the most ridiculous anchoring experience you’ve ever had? Here’s one of mine:

Who has the most expensive engine per horsepower? I bet it’s me!

Took a friend (Alex) of my sailing buddy, John, out for an idyllic afternoon – The Gennaker set beautifully every time, the sea was flat to calm and we had a refreshing breeze – Genevieve swam powerfully, gracefully and we didn’t stop grinning ’till the BBQ at the dock with our neighbors ended. Genevieve likes her foredeck washed with spray and I spent some of those magical moments standing on the pulpit, leaning on the forestay, just feeling her smooth movement, the wind, the shafts of sunlight dancing deep in the water broken by our passage and the freedom of it all. I looked back to John and Alex’s silly grins and we just laughed with the joy of it all. Alex kept telling us how it couldn’t get any better than this and John and I didn’t have to respond – We all knew it to be so.

I sailed with a friend and his dog. There were eight dolphin nearby – Two followed us for a bit and a third jumped over six feet in the air! Doggie got fresh air, plenty of scritches and strokes and half of my friend’s burrito. We traded stories of introducing friends to nature while the boat just about sailed herself. It’s such a pleasure sailing with someone who has a passion for sailing and nature – Everything was comfortable and natural. Beautiful day!

The croaker bass living beneath my boat got me in trouble with my gal: It was destined and there was nothing I could do about it!

Bucket o’ bolts in payment for a night’s work is held up by small-minded corporate bureaucrats.

We sailed as soon as I could get off work, yesterday, at five – Franz stopped by to get my keys and had the boat ready when I arrived with the wine (La Yunta “Torrontas” from La Rioja, Argentina – Excellent with scallops and swordfish and surprisingly affordable). Lots of fun – Got lots of squeals from the girls and we all barked and clapped at the seals on the bouys. Happy feet dangling over the bow, yummy food and fine company – The company you have with good friends, quite relaxed and soaking up a perfect evening. Starting with a good breeze and excitement and ending ghosting along, not wanting it to end, all of us hoping we could put off starting the motor just a little longer. That’s what sailing’s about – friendships forged in experiencing the wonders of nature.